The Philippine Coast Guard Zamboanga Station rescued last Wednesday sixteen (16) persons who are reportedly victims of human trafficking.

PCG Lt. Cmdr. Noriel Ramos, PCG Zamboanga Station commander, said that the command was able to detect the presence of trafficking victims during the conduct of their regular Vessel Safety Enforcement Inspection (VSEI) at the port in Maluso, Basilan.

The PCG then coordinated with the Social Welfare Department (DSWD) in Zamboanga City for the proper documentation of the victims.

The victims are residents of the nearby municipalities, provinces and cities of Zamboanga del Sur, Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Occidental.

Ramos believes that the victims were supposed to slip off the backdoor towards Malaysia using the port of Maluso as exit point.

The PCG is still trying to determine the whereabouts of the suspects responsible for the incident. (Bhong Simbajon)